Double standards of Pandor’s foreign policy

IN SEPTEMBER 2017, then president (Jacob) Zuma signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), saying; “We are making a clarion call to all member states of the UN to sign and ratify the ban treaty in order to rid the world and humanity of these lethal weapons of mass destruction.” This treaty was ratified in 2021 where the South African Department of International Relations and Co-operation stated: “The total elimination of all weapons of mass destruction remains one of South Africa’s key foreign policy priorities.”

Naledi Pandor, the South African foreign minister said: “We are committed to promoting South Africa’s national interests and values, a better

South Africa, a better Africa, a better world for all.

“We continue to stress that dialogue, mediation and diplomacy is the only path to end conflict.” Due to severe sanctions and isolation, Iran has developed very close relations with South Africa who remains the cornerstone for that country’s African strategy. Trade, defence and scientific co-operation.

It’s no secret that Iran is (on) the cusp of producing a nuclear weapon.

This is obviously of no concern to Naledi Pandor, who also refused to condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine after threats of using its nuclear weapons.

ALLAN WOLMAN |